## Overview of Smoking Regulations in Public Places in the United States

In the United States, the regulation of smoking, especially in public areas, has evolved significantly over the past few decades. This movement has been largely motivated by increasing awareness of the health risks associated with smoking and secondhand smoke. Among the landmark regulations is President Bill Clinton’s Executive Order 13058, which plays a crucial role in governing smoking in public places within the federal government's jurisdiction.

### Historical Background

Concerns about the public health impact of smoking began to rise significantly after the Surgeon General's report in 1964, which linked smoking to various serious health issues such as lung cancer and heart disease. This report led to a gradual increase in smoking restrictions, including warning labels on cigarette packaging and bans on television advertising. The cultural shift towards smoke-free environments gained further momentum in the 1980s and 1990s with states and localities beginning to enact their own bans on smoking in public places.

### Executive Order 13058

On August 9, 1997, President Bill Clinton issued Executive Order 13058, titled "Protecting Federal Employees and the Public from Exposure to Tobacco Smoke in the Federal Workplace." This order marked a significant federal milestone in efforts to regulate smoking within public spaces and workplaces.

#### Provisions of the Order

The order prohibits smoking of tobacco products in all interior spaces owned, rented, or leased by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government. Furthermore, the executive order extends to all outdoor areas under executive branch control, where a significant intake of secondhand smoke could occur due to proximity to building entrances and windows. The goal was not only to protect the health of federal employees but also members of the public visiting or using federal facilities.

#### Implications and Impact

As a direct result of the executive order, all federal agencies were required to implement this smoking ban within their facilities. This included comprehensive steps to eliminate indoor smoking and limit areas where smoking could occur outdoors. The order allowed for designated smoking areas, which had to be appropriately ventilated and located sufficiently far from common areas to minimize the exposure of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke.

### Compliance and Enforcement

Agencies were tasked with the enforcement of this order through the establishment of internal policies and procedures. They were also required to post no smoking signs, remove ashtrays from prohibited areas, and offer assistance to employees who sought to quit smoking.

### Broader Impact 

While Executive Order 13058 specifically targets federal facilities and their employees, it has also had a broader cultural impact, reinforcing the movement towards smoke-free environments across various sectors in the United States. Many states and local governments have since introduced more stringent bans on smoking in public spaces, leading to a clearer public understanding of the health risks associated with smoking and secondhand smoke exposure.

### Conclusion

In conclusion, Executive Order 13058 is a pivotal element of the regulatory framework dealing with smoking in public places in the United States. Issued by President Bill Clinton, it set a precedent for smoke-free workplace policies within the federal government, subsequently influencing local and state policies towards the establishment of more comprehensive smoke-free environments. This order illustrates an important step in public health policy, emphasizing the government’s role in protecting public health from the dangers of tobacco smoke.